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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Empris(e, Emprys(e, n. Also: empryis, emprice, empryce. [ME. emprise (c 1300), empryse, OF. emprise. Cf. Enpris(e.]

1. An enterprise or undertaking, esp. of a bold or adventurous nature. 1375 Barb. xiv. 506.
[Thai] … had gret ferly That sa quheyn durst on ony wis Wndertak sa hye empris [E. enprys] c1420 Wynt. ix. 1081 (E²).
Quhen thai hade endyt thair emprice Thai went than to Boloun ?1438 Alex. i. 1090.
Mony worthy man he saw, Reddie to … vndertak full hie emprise Ib. ii. 5007.
We sall wele … Send to purches this empryse 1490 Irland Mir. I. 167/11.
Prey thou for ws, as euir has bene thi wone; All suich emprice sekerly bene thin a1568 Mersar Bann. MS. 213 b/56.
Leif hir nocht, thocht scho be nevir so he emprys

2. Enterprising character; readiness for great undertakings; distinction. 1375 Barb. xvi. 490.
Schir James of Dowglas … Throu his vorschip and gret empris Defendit worthely the land c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 1123.
Hyr vergynite … To all the goddes of empryse … She offred wp c1420 Wynt. ix. 1078 (E²).
Men at him had mair inwy For his empryce a1500 Seven S. 3.
Ane empriour … Wonnyt in welth and hie emprys 1531 Bell. Boece p. viii.
Thir goddesses … him desirit for his hie empryis Ane of thaim two unto his lady cheis